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The United Mine Workers of America, which represents miners across the United States and Canada, was formed at Columbus City Hall on Jan. 25, 1890, when delegates of the Knights of Labor Trade Assembly No. 135 and the National Progressive Union of Miners and Mine Laborers voted to merge.

The new group’s constitution, which was adopted that morning, set the union’s purpose as uniting mine workers and improving working conditions through “conciliation, arbitration and strikes.”

The constitution also set dues at 5 cents a month. That afternoon, resolutions were adopted that did the following:

• Prohibited discrimination in the union and in the workplace against those of “African descent.” A black Ohioan, R.F. Warren, was named to the union’s executive board.

• Supported the outlawing of “non-resident police officers in any community.” Private guards — company “goons” to the unions — were often called in when labor troubles flared.

• Demanded abolition of the “company store” system. Stores owned by mines often were accused of trapping miners in constant debt. Some mines paid their workers in money that was good only at company stores.

• Condemned Pennsylvania officials “for their cowardice and inhuman treatment in not protecting the rights of miners.” The delegates took up a collection for striking Punxsutawney, Pa., miners who had been evicted from their homes.

• Declared the group’s determination to put the eight-hour workday in place by May of that year, though it wouldn’t happen for another eight years.

A pay scale was adopted on Jan. 26, 1890. It called for wages ranging from 50 cents a day in the “Reynoldsburg (low-grade coal) region” to $1 a day in other places.

Suggestions for Mileposts that will run this bicentennial year can be sent to: Gerald Tebben, Box 82125, Columbus, OH 43202, or email gtebben@columbus.rr.com.